Full list of people exempt from paying the €160 TV licence fee in Ireland in 2026

See the full list below

However, a lot of people don't realise that there is an exception to the rule which could exempt them from paying that irritable TV licence fee in 2026.

Whether you’re a movie buff who binge-watches Netflix, an occasional gamer, or someone whose TV is rarely used, you’re still required to pay the TV licence if the television is capable of receiving a broadcast signal.

Refusing or failing to pay the fee can lead to fines of up to €1,000. One licence will cover an entire house, even if there are multiple tv's on the premises.

When purchasing a TV licence for the first time, you can pay the fee at an An Post office, online or over the phone. From then on, it must be renewed every 12 months.

However, this is where things get interesting, as not everyone is required to pay the fee.

Due to a little known exemption, some people in Ireland can legally avoid paying the fee in 2026, and a lot of people don't even realise they qualify.

The exemption is part of the Household Benefits Package (HBP), a support scheme by the government that helps bare the costs of household bills like electricity and gas.

So, if you're approved for the HBP, you might also be entitled to a free TV licence.

To qualify for the HBP and therefore also for the free TV licence you must be living in Ireland full time, be the only person in your household getting the HBP, be aged 70 or over, be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules.

For those aged under 70 living with a spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can qualify if you receive a qualifying social welfare payment as well as meeting certain conditions.

This could include an increase in your qualifying payment for your partner, receiving your own qualifying payment or receiving a social welfare payment which is not listed below and passing a means test. You may also live with other adults who are not your spouse or partner, per the Irish Mirror.

Social welfare payments that qualify those under 70 for the HBP include:

Anyone aged between 66 and 70 who does not qualify for a social welfare payment must pass a means test.

During a means test, the Department of Social Protection examines all sources of income. The person's weekly income must be below a certain amount to pass the test.

Currently, the amount of means a person is allowed to have for the HBP is the current maximum rate of State Pension, including any increases that they might get for their age, living alone and dependants, plus €200.

The means test considers:

• Cash income that they or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may have. Some cash income may not be included in the means test.
• Capital, for example, the value of savings, investments, shares or any property they have (but not your own home).